Preseason O'Hara Ranked in top 10

MISSOURI HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PRESEASON STATE POLL The Associated Press preseason high school football poll for Missouri, voted upon by a 12-person panel of sportswriters and broadcasters across the state. First-place votes in parentheses, followed by 2007 record, points and last year’s final ranking. CLASS 3 Monett (3) 9-2 95 Pleasant Hill (3) 9-1 90 KC St. Pius X (1) 8-3 68 Ste. Genevieve (3) 6-4 58 Mountain Grove 10-1 55 Moberly 11-1 52 O’Hara 6-4 50 St. Francis Borgia (2) 10-3 41 Fulton 8-2 41 New Madrid Co. Central 9-2 31

O'Hara Opens Football Season with Win over Clinton

CELTICS TOP CLINTON 49-0 Danny Hernandez scored three touchdowns and James Tillman added two as the O'Hara Celtics downed the Clinton Cardinals 49-0 on Friday. All of the scoring was in the second and third quarters of the game. O'Hara's first score was a one yard run by James Tillman but the play was set up on a 16 yard pass from TJ White to Joe Pepple. An interception by Joe Pepple set up O'Hara's next TD. TJ White connected with Danny Hernandez for a 45 yard scoring pass play. An excellent punt by Clinton's Connor Hilty placed the ball on the O'Hara 9 yard line, but James Tillman took the ball for a 91 yard romp and O'Hara had its third TD of the evening. With less than two minutes remaining to the half, Danny Hernandez intercepted a Trenton Perry pass and ran the ball back 48 yards to give the Celtics a 28-0 halftime score. Bryce Scovill kicked all of O'Hara's seven extra points in the game. To start the second half, Clinton kicked off for their only time of the game. It wasn't good for he Cardinals because Danny Hernandez took the kick in for an 81 yard runback and gave the Celtics a 35 point lead. As a result, the rest of the game was played with a running clock. O'Hara went to their bench for the last two tallies. Terrell Johnson ran for a 39 yard touchdown and quarterback DJ Jackson ran a keeper for 30 yards and the final score.

O'HARA VOLLEYBALL SET TO DEFEND STATE CHANPIONSHIP With five sophomores, two juniors and two seniors, the O'Hara High School volleyball varsity team will set out to defend their State Championship on September 2nd when they travel to Blue Springs. Their first home contest won't occur until the 9th when they host Smith-Cotton. Seniors who will fill the role of leaders are Madeline Rembold and Jennifer Wulff while the experienced juniors are Jordyn Wyatt and Katie Huber. The five sophomores that make up the majority of the varsity team are Tori Hurtt, Michala Boehm, Lindsey Hanaway, Emily Tyler, and Janell Jordan. Hanaway is this year's setter and the middle hitters who are expected to carry the bulk of scoring Are Hurtt and Boehm Back as head coach is Lori Hanaway who will be assisted by coaches Mimi Harman and Catherine Caywood with Kelly Jordahl coaching the freshman squad.

SOFTBALL TEAM OPENS WITH A WIN

The O’Hara softball Celtics won a 10-1 victory over Raytown South in the first round of the Raytown South Tournament. . Andi Davis led the way with three hits. Ashley Clark, Lindsey Davis, Patrice Jackson, Kellie Bachkora, and Brittany Gallatin each had two hits. Brittany Gallatin pitched a complete game allowing only four hits.

O'Hara in Football Jamboree

O'HARA TOPS TWO TEAMS AT JAMBOREE On Friday, August 22nd, at Ruskin Stadium, the O'Hara High School football team competed with two teams in the annual Football Jamboree. The Celtics came away with n 18-0 score with University Acadamy and a 12-6 decision against Hickman Mills. The format was to involve each team running nine plays starting from the 40 yard line but without kickoffs nor punts. The O'Hara defense was called upon to defend the Universty Acadamy offense in the initial round. The Acadamy was unable to penetrate the 20 yard line, was unable complete a single pass, and had a quarterback sack within their nine plays. On offense, the Celtics crossed the goal line four times but one TD was nullified by a penalty. In the first five of their nine offensive plays, James Tillman had a 17 yard run while Jasper Greason and Chuck Preston had short running gains. The touchdown came from a TJ White pass to Joe Pepple for a 10 yarder. On O'Hara's 6th play, Chuck Preston broke away for the entire 40 yards for six points. It took the Celtics two plays to score for the third time. A 37 yard pass from TJ White to Joe Pepple set up a 3 yard scoring run by Jasper Greason. TJ White passed for the needed 40 yards to Danny Hernandez on O'Hara's 9th and final play of the series in which a flag was thrown. Unlike the other penalties in the game, the Celtics were denied a replay of their last play. O'Hara's defense then had to cope with Hickman Mills' nine plays. The Cougars did score on a short five yard touchdown run but used up seven of their nine plays to accomplish it. When O'Hara got the ball for their series, they score on their first four downs. Melchior pulled in an eight yard pass from TJ White and James Tillman showed some nifty downfield running for 27 yards. He eventually scored on a two yard run. Three plays later the Celics had another score. Danny Hernandez gathered in a 15 yard pass, TJ White scrambled for a few more yards, and then White threw a 27 yard scoring pass to Joe Pepple.

The O'Hara football players for '08

O'HARA FOOTBALL TO DEPEND ON YOUNGSTERS WITH EXPERIENCE The O'Hara Celtics open their season against Clinton on August 29 with just seven players who are seniors. The home game is a West Central Conference game. Split and defensive end Joe Pepple, split end and line backer Danny Hernandez, and split end and defensive back Larry Liggett will be going both ways on offense and defense. The other seniors are the veteran kicker Bryce Scovill, Donnie Criswell is a starting halfback, while both Alex Rogers and Joey Tucker are defensive backs. Junior lettermen who will be on the starting lineup are TJ White at quarterback, James Tillman as a running back, guards Matt Falke and Ted Dujakovich, tackle Nick Coatney, defensive back Aaron Mitchell, and defensive end Louis Golden . Other juniors who will see action are fullback Chuck Preston, tight end Terrell Johnson, nose guard Jake Robinson, center Anthony Liggett, and tackle Tyler Houser. Two sophomores on the Celtic team that are expected to make an impact are linebackers Andre Jordan and Raphael Spencer. Jim DeMarea is the O'Hara Head Football Coach. Teams that are on the schedule this year that were not last year are Oak Grove, Saint James, Christ Prep, and Pembrook Hill. The West Central Conference teams are O'Hara, Smith-Cotton, Saint Pius, Center, Clinton, and Warrensburg. Assistant Coach Jim Monteil had the following to say, "A lot of players got experience last year andf we're excited about getting started with the new season."

Softball Coming Up

O'HARA SOFTBALL TEAM IS LOOKING FORWARD TO CONFERENCE AND STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Last year the softball team from Archbishop O'Hara High School took second place in the West Central Conference but won the District and Regional tournament and went to the Super 8…one game away from the State Playoffs. On the team were returning letterwomen Lindsey Davis, Patrice Jackson, Chelsea Buseck, Caitlin Croker, Ashley Clark, Brittany Gallatin, Jesse Smith, and Melissa Batiz. According to Head Coach George Peter, good prospects for this year include senior Paulina Pengelley, sophomores Alex Paulakovich and Allison Seck, and freshmen Kelly Bachkora and Andi Davis Coach Peter commented, "Our schedule is pretty much the same as last year. We open with the Raytown South Tournament. However we lost three good quality seniors but some of the younger ladies are stepping up to take their place." " We relied heavily last year on rotating pitchers Brittany Gallatin and Melissa Batiz. We received bad news recently when we learned that Melissa Batiz will be out for the entire season because of an arm problem. The coaches will be trying to see if there are other players who can help relieve some of the pitching burden that will fall on Gallatin. Hopefully Lindsey Davis who pitched her freshman year can step in to help." "The Conference is always tough. The team hasn’t seen the District assignments yet, but if last year is any indication, we will once again have to be at our best to compete and move on." “Each year brings on new surprises, so I hate to make predictions," Coach Peter was quick to add. "Deep down, I think we are solid across the board. However, last year in baseball, I lost my ace pitcher early in the season, yet we did fairly well. And now we lose one of our ace softball pitchers, so I will have to be a little concerned ….but I am still optimistic." Coach George Peter will be entering his ninth season as the Celtics coach. Laura Eagle and Chadd Peter will be back again this year, and Ashlee Boursheski will begin working with the pitching corps.

Oncoming cross country

O'HARA LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE SUCCESS IN CROSS COUNTRY Head Coach Mike Martin is proud that the Archbishop O'Hara High School boys cross country team will be led by defending 2A state champion, Max Storms. "His summer running was intense," Coach Martin pointed out, "the coaches at the Joe Bill Dixon Camp said Max was the best in shape runner there." Sophomore Andy Meyer will be trying to fill the shoes of Matt Bader, a two time state qualifier. He will be followed closely by newcomer, junior Jerry Rellihan. Jerry was discovered while running the half mile during the track season. Junior Graham Grier may be limited in his running due to a broken bone in his wrist. He had intended to play football and is now giving his attention to running. Rounding out the varsity squad will be Kyle Van Hecke who is entering his third season and has put in some mileage over the summer, and Trevor Gudde, a senior who will also be playing varsity soccer. Freshman new to the team are Alec Robb and Colin McKinney Coach Martin said the girls team will be led by senior Aliyah Jones. Other returning letterman are Chelsea Rose, McKenzie Shelton, and Kristina Snyder. New to the program are sophomore Amy Gaston, and freshmen Alaina Webb, Katelyn Gutteridge, and Nicoleta Rowan. Coach stated, "The Celtics are anxious to hear what class they will be in this year and in what District they will compete. There is one change in their schedule this year as the boys will be attending the Forest Park Invitational in St. Louis the second weekend in September".

Three Football Players Hold School Records

When the Archbishop O'Hara football team opens their season on August 29th with a home game with Clinton, they will unleash a wide open offense. TJ White will return as the starting quarterback and will have an able backup in Joe Pepple. Pepple started last year's first two games and was moved to wide receiver where he excelled as a pass receiver while White who will be a junior this year, went on to set four O'Hara team records. TJ White's four school records include most passes completed in a game with 17, most yards gained via passing in a game with 277, most yards gained per attempt in a season with 8.4, and most yards per completion in a game with 24.6 yards. Senior Joe Pepple tied the school record for most passes caught in a game with 9, is second in receiving yards per game for a season at 58.3, and third in most total yards receiving for a season with 466. O'Hara is also blessed with a kicker who holds two school records as he goes into his senior year. Bryce Scovill far surpassed his closest competitor in kicking the most extra points in a career with 87, and along with his field goals, has the school record for most points scored by field goals and extra points combined with 111. All three athletes are among the top ten in other school records.